Venetian blind head-bar organization



Nov. 30, 1948. H. NELSON 2,455,135

VENETIAN BLIND HEAD-BAR ORGANIZATION Filed June 26, L945 3 Sheets-Shem 1 [ATTORNEYS Nov. 30, 1948. H. NELSON 2,455,135

VENETIAN BLIND HEAD-BAR ORGANIZATION Filed June 26, 1945 S ShBets-Sheet 2 I Fi 'INVENTOR BY Harry fi e/son H. NELSON VENETIAN BLIND HEAD-BAR ORGANIZATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26. 1945 ATTONEY INVENTOR Harry fflson Patented Nov. 30, 1948 VENETIAN BLIND HEAD-BAR ORGANIZATION Harry Nelson, .New York, N. Y., assignor to Lorentzen Hardware Mfg. Corp New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 26, 1945, Serial No. {01,671

21 Claims. 1

This invention relates to Venetian blind headbar organizations. Certain features of the invention are applicable to various types of head-bars, but the invention as a whole is particularly applicable to all-metal head-bar organizations of the type known to the trade as. an inclosed metal head.

So-called inclosed heads may be handled and installed as a unit. They include a tilter, tape rockers, a cord lock, and cord pulleys, all concealed within the head-bar. Thus, there is no occasion to use a valance to conceal the various fittings by which the blind is supported and adjusted.

The advantages of all-metal construction are many, including strength, durability, lack of swelling caused by humidity, and adaptability to rapid and accurate manufacture. However, inclosed metal heads have not been extensively used, even though attempts were made to popularize them during a period when metal was readily available for their manufacture.

The commercial progress of inclosed metal heads has been impeded by the weight and expense of such devices. The greater the weight of a head, the greater the cost of the metal stock required to manufacture it. Also, the prior art constructions have involved undesirably high manufacturing and assembly costs. Where welding is used. special difliculties are presented unless inferior steel be used. It is preferable to use steel which has been rustproofed as by bonderizing, and such steel has an outer layer or coating which is ill adapted for welding.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide an inclosed metal head-bar organization which will have suflicient strength and rigidity when made of light weight metal, which is composed of parts that can be rapidly and economic lly manufactured. which requires relatively few parts and subassemblies, which can be economically assembled without the use of expensive equipment, which can eliminate welding, and which can be rapidl and conveniently installed for use.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. My invention is defined in the appended claims. In the claims, as well as in the description, parts are at times identified by specific names for clarity and convenience but such nomenclature is to be understood as having the- 2 guished from the pertinent prior art. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated n th accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a largely diagrammatic isometric view showing channel stock from which the body of the head-bar is made, and indicatin how it is cut into lengths for individual head-bars.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inclosed headbar organization with a blind suspended therefrom. In this view certain parts are removed or broken away to better show the essential features of the construction.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view showing one end of the head-bar channel before other elements of the head-bar have been assembled therewith.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view showing an end brace which is to be applied to the end of the channel shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the end brace of Fig. 4 assembled with the channel end of Fig. 3 preparatory to fastening the end brace to the channel.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the attachment of one end of the end brace to one of the walls of the channel.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing a. portion of the channel which is slotted for the passage of the two branches of one of the ladder tapes and which is perforated for the passage of one of the lift cords.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing one of the cord pulleys mounted in the channel and also showing the slots through which one of the ladder tapes passes. The view is taken at the section indicated by line 88 in Fig. 7.

Fig 9 is an isometric view showing a so-called intermediary brace which is to be assembled with the channel between its ends.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the brace of Fig. 9 assembled with the chan- 3 Channel stock I! of indeterminate length is adapted to be severed as at s, s into pieces l8. l8, It for individual head-bars. The stock I! may be a plain sheet-metal channel as indicated in Fig. 1, but preferably the sides and bottom are longitudinally fluted and the free edge inwardly turned as appears in Fig. 2. Thus, a piece It (see Fig. 2) cut from the preferred stock, will have a bottom l1 and sides |8, |8 each of which is provided with a series of closely spaced longitudinal flutes l9 extending throughout the length of piece IS. The fluting is preferably such that the channel bottom and sides, as viewedfrom either the exterior or the interior of the channel, present a series of closely spaced rounded ridges separated by rounded grooves. The free edges of the sides l8, l8 are formed into beads 28, 28 which extend throughout the length of head-bar piece It. These beads are inwardly turned and they are somewhat open, as is perhaps best seen in Figs. 10 and 11. In forming the flutes l9, the

top flute is preferably so positioned as to provide a ridge on the inside faces of the sides I 8, i8 immediately below the beads 28, 28 for the purpose hereinafter explained. Fig. 1 shows this ridge for one of the sides l8, and Figs. 3, 10, 11 and 13 show it for both sides |8, |8.

Each end of head-bar piece it is provided with a metal end brace 2| (see also Figs. 3-6). This brace is a one-piece sheet-metal stamping having an elongated body portion 22, from which there is struck oil a bendable finger 24, the purpose of which will appear later. At each end of the brace 2|, and extending perpendicularly to the body thereof, is a two-part foot 25 adapted to bear against the inner face of channel wall l8. Each part of'foot 25 is fluted to nest with the fiuting of the channel wall. Also each end of the brace 2| is provided with tabs 28, 26 adapted to bear against the end of channel piece l8. Additionally, each end of brace 2| is provided with a sharp prong 21 of the form shown.

The brace 2| is assembledwith the channel It by a telescoping movement toward the end of the channel. This brings the feet 25 into nested relation with the fluting of channel walls l8, l8. It also brings the four tabs 28 against the end of the channel, and disposes the prongs 21, .21 outside of the channel. By pressure or hammer blows each prong 21 is now bent snugly against the outer face of channel wall l8, the tip of the prong piercing the wall and extending between the two parts of foot 25. If desired the tip of the prong may also be clinched.

It will be apparent that the end brace 2| bears in multiple fashion against each channel wall l8, and that it is firmly secured to the channel without welding and by a simple attaching operation. The braces 2|, 2| at the two ends of channel l8 are duplicates, rights" and iefts" not being required. Also, the brace can be put in place with the finger 24 either at the top or at the bottom. Figs. 2 and 13 show the finger 24 at the top, while Figs. 4 and show it at the bottom.

A brace 28, i. e., one or more braces, is also provided between the ends of channel It. In this connection see Figs. 2, "9, and 11. For convenience each such brace will be called an intermediary brace, although several such may be distributed along the head-bar channel.

The intermediary brace 28 is a simple strip of metal initially stamped to the form shown in Fig 9, in which the end flanges 29, 29 are substantially parallel to each other. By thumb and finger pressure, the sides 18, of the channel are flexed toward each other suiliciently to permit flanges 28, 29 to be telescoped into beads 28, 28. Then brace 28 is straightened by thumb and finger pressure, to bring it to the condition shown in Figs. 10 and 11; When straightened, the brace 28 has the correct length; and the straightening tilts the flanges 29, 29 into converging relationship in which they interlock with the beads 28, 28. At each side i8 the interlock is enhanced by the inwardly projecting ridge which is positioned between the uppermost flute l9 and the bead 28. This is best seen in Fig. 11. A hole 38 will render the brace 28 easier to straighten, and incidentally save a little metal.

At two or more locations along the channel i8, the bottom thereof is slotted as at 3|, 3| (Fig. '7) for the passage of the front and rear branches of ladder tapes such as 32 and 34 (Fig. 2). Midway between the slots 3|, 3| of the pair of slots, the bottom of channel i5 is pierced as at 35 for the passage of a blind lift cord, such as cord 38 or cord 31 (Fig. 2).

Mounted within the channel l8 and associated with each pair of slots 3|, 3| is a cradle frame, such as frames 38, 38, which may be made as duplicates. Each such cradle frame is a onepiece sheet-metal stamping, having sides 39 and 48 and a bottom 4|. The bottom 4| is slotted as at 42. 42 (Fig. 8), these slots being adapted to register substantially with slots 3|, 3| in the bottom H of the channel. In punching slots 3|, 3| the struck-out metal is left attached along the inner edge of the slots and formed intostrips or wide fingers 44, 44 that are adapted to be passed through the slots 42-42 in the cradle frame and be bent over to secure the cradle frame in place, as best seen in Fig. 8. These fingers 44, 44 also provide smooth curved bearing surfaces against which the branches of the ladder tape move when the slats 45 of the blind are tilted. Struck up from the metal of the bottom 4| of the cradle frame are ears 46, 45 between which is mounted a brass cord pulley 41.

The sides 39 and 48 of the cradle frames are horizontally slotted at 48 for the passage, in a horizontal direction, of lift cords such as 38 and 31. As may be seen in Fig. 2, one of the slots 48 may not actually have a lift cord passing through it, but the slotting of both the side 39 and the side 48 of all of the cradle frames 38 makes for interchangeability and standardization of parts. A portion of the metal which is struck out in forming each horizontal slot 48 is formed into a curved lip 49 which projects outwardly from side 39 or 48 and acts as a smooth bearing surface against which the lift cords may rub as they are pulled in or payed out.

Extending across the two cradle frames 38, 38 is a hexagonal operating shaft 58 which rests in a notch 5| in the upper edge of the side 48 of each cradle frame. Telescoped onto shaft 58 are two duplicate tape rockers 52. In order to better illustrate the construction of the cradle frames, no tape rocker 52 is shown associated with the right-hand cradle frame 38 (Fig. 2), but it will be understood that a tape rocker 52 is associated with that cradle frame in the same manner as is shown at the left-hand cradle frame 38 in Fig. 2. Each tape rocker 52 is stamped from a single piece of sheet-metal and has opposite side wall portions, such as 54, that are provided with hexagonal holes which non-rotatably receive the shaft 58. Each tape rocker 52 also includes upwardly projecting arms 55, 55 to which the front and rear branches of the ladder tape are secured by means of a hairpin-like spring wire fitting 88. If desired. this fitting may be arranged and used as shown in Lorentzen U. 8. Patent 2,262,949.

Mounted in one end of head-bar channel l8 (e. g., the left-hand end) is a tilter having a gear or sector driven from tilt cord 88 through pulley 58 and a worm (not shown) as is well understood in the art. The driven gear or sector .is provided with a hub journalled in the casing of the tilter 51 and axially pierced by a hexagonal hole which non-rotatably receives shaft 60. Thus, rotation of pulley 58 causes rotation of shaft 68 and tilting of the tape rockers 52, The casing of the tilter 51 also includes a base or mounting flange 8| adapted to be secured against the bottom of channel l6 by means of metal fingers, such as fingers 62 (see also Figs. 3, 5 and 13) which are struck up from the metal of channel bottom l1 and are passed through slots in mounting flange SI and then clinched over as shown in Fig. 2.

In assembly, the tilter 51 and the two cradle frames 38, 88 may be mounted in the head-bar channel IS. The shaft 58 may then be passed through the two rockers 52, the gear hub 60 of the tilter, and against the left-hand end brace 2|, as is seen in Fig. 2. Side 40 of each of the cradle frames 38 is so stamped as to provide a laterally extending sheet-metal arm 64 from which projects a horizontally extending finger 65 and a vertically extending finger 66. With the shaft 58 in the assembled position shown in Fig. 2, the arm 64 of the right-hand cradle 38 may then be bent with a pair of pliers to bring the horizontal finger 65 on top of the shaft and the vertical finger 86 against the end of the shaft. Fig. 2 shows the position of these parts after the arm 64 has been so bent. It will be seen that the shaft 50 is simply and effectively held against either upward movement or axial movement. Upward movement of the left-hand end of the shaft is prevented by tilter 51 and upward movement of the right-hand end of the shaft is prevented by finger 65. Axial movement of the shaft in one direction is prevented by end brace 2| and axial movement of the shaft in the other direction is prevented by finger 66.

Mounted in the right-hand end of head-bar channel It; is a suitable cord lock fitting designated as a whole by I0. This has a base or mounting flange H which rests against the bottom ll of the head-bar channel and is secured in place by clinched fingers 62 struck out from the metal of the channel bottom II. Channel bottom I1 is also suitably pierced in this zone to provide for the downward passage of the lift cords after they have passed through the cord lock.

The head-bar is adapted to be mounted on installation brackets 15 and 16 which are made in pairs, one right-hand and one left-hand. Only the right-hand bracket will be described since it will be understood that the two brackets are the same, except of opposite hand. Referring to Fig. 12, it will be seen that the bracket 15 is composed primarily of three sheet metal stamplngs, I1, 18 and I9. Stamping 11 includes a vertical plate portion 80 from which projects at right angles a vertical flange 8| and a horizonal flange 82. ."lange 8| is provided with screw holes for mounting the bracket on the front of a window jamb, for a so-called outside mounting of the Venetian blind. The plate 80 is also provided with screw holes so that. alternatively, it can be attached against the lateral face of the window lamb, for a so-called inside mounting of the blind.

With the installation brackets II and I6 mounted on a window frame, the head-bar, with the blind suspended therefrom. can be installed as a unit, the ends of the head-bar resting directly against the horizonal flanges, such as flange 82. Stamping 18 constitutes a keeper. It includes a flange attached by a pin-and-slot connection at 88 to the upward forward comer of bracket plate 80. Keeper 18 also includes a laterally projecting flange 88. With the head-bar in place on the bracket, the keeper is swung downwardly and notched portion 81 thereof engaged with the front of flange 82. Stamping 19 is a piece of springy metal riveted to bracket late 80. The forward portion of stamping 18 may be spaced slightly from plate and the nose of it may be inclined away from the late. This facilitates the passage of flange 84 behind stamping 19 when the keeper I8 is closed Pressed out of flange 88 is a protuberance 88 which snaps into hole 88 in member 18 to hold the keeper in closed position. By the application of suflicient outward force, the keeper 18 can. of course, be disengaged, permitting return of the keeper to the position shown in Fig. 12 for the removal of the head-bar from the installation brackets,

To take care of windows of all widths. the head-bar of the present invention may be made n lengths varying by increments of one inch. Flanges 8|, 82 and 88 may each be made an inch wide, thereby providing at least a half inch of overlap between these flanges and the head-bar. provided the head-bar be centered with respect to its pair of installation brackets. After the installation brackets have been mounted, bendable fingers 24, 28 on the end braces 2|, 2| are bent outwardly as required to bear against the vertical plate portions 88 of the installation brackets and center the head-bar. It will be seen that these bendable fingers constitute adjustable means for centering the head-bar with respect to its installation brackets.

In the past, metal head-bars have been made of telescoping construction to take care of windows of different widths. However, I prefer to make each head-bar of fixed length, and take care of windows of diflerent widths as above described. My construction is a simple and economical one which can be assembled without welding, and which requires little or no hing n the way of special tools for assembly or installation. The channel l6 may be made of steel as thin as .020 or even .015 inch in thickness. Pref erably, parts such as end braces 2|, 2| and intermediary brace 28 are made of heavier metal, e.

from steel having a thickness of .030 to .040 inch.

I claim:

1. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated channel of fixed length, the channel being of thin sheet metal and having longitudinally fluted sides and a longitudinally fluted bottom, metal braces extending across the channel adjacent to its ends, and at least one metal brace extending across the channel remote from its ends, the end portions of the braces being attached to the sides of the channel.

2. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated channel of fixed length, the channel being of thin sheet metal and having longitudinally fluted sides and a longitudinally fluted bottom, metal braces extending across the channel adjacent to its ends, and at least one metal brace extending across the channel remote from 1 its ends, the ends of the braces having integral formations mechanically interlocked with the sides of the channel.

3. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated channel of U-shaped cross section, the free edges of the U formation being formed into open beads extending longitudinally of the channel, and a brace extending across the channel, the brace having end formations nested into and mechanically interlocked with said beads.

4. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated sheet metal channel of U-shaped cross section, the freeedges of the U formation being turned inwardly and formed into longitudinally extending'beads, and a brace extending across the channel and supporting the sides in their spacing from one another, the brace having flanges nested into said beads. g

5. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated sheet metal channel of U-shaped cross section, the free edges of the U formation being turned inwardly and formed into longitudinally extending beads. and a brace extending across the channel and supporting the sides in their spacing from one another, the ends of the brace having formations mechanically interlocked with said heads.

6. A brace for a Venetian blind head-bar, said brace comprising: a crooked strip of soft metal having its end portions formed into flanges projecting laterally from the body of the strip, the flanges being initially substantially parallel to each other and; by straightening of the strip, being tiltable into converging relationship for interlocking with complementary formation on the head-bar.

7. Stock for cutting into lengths for Venetian blind head-bars, said stock comprising: a thin sheet metal channel of U-shaped cross section, the sides and bottom of the channel being longitudinally fluted, and the free edges of the U formation being turned inwardly and formed into open beads extending-longitudinally of thechannel, said beads being adapted to interlockingly receive terminal ends of a brace extending being spacer portions projecting beyond the ends of the channel. and said spacer portions being bendiii 8 each end means to attach it to the side wall of the channel, said means including a foot portion for hearing against one face of the channel wall and a finger proiectable through the channel wall from the opposite face thereof, and said brace also having an intervening spacer portion for positioning the end of the head-bar with respect to an installation bracket.

13. In the art of Venetian blinds, an end brace for a channel-shaped head-bar, said brace comprising: an elongated piece of metal having at each end means to attach it to the side wall of the channel, said means including a foot portion for hearing against one face of the channel wall and a finger projectable through the channel wall from the opposite face thereof.

14. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated channel of thin sheet metal, the-channel having longitudinally fiuted side walls and a longitudinally fluted bottom; and a metal brace extending across the channel, adjacent to an end thereof, each end of the brace having a pair of fluted foot portions bearing against the inside of the channel wall in spaced relation to 'each other and in nested relation with the flutes of the wall, and each end of the brace also having a clinched finger portion bearing against the outside of the channel wall and projecting through the wall beable for adjusting the position of the head-bar" with respect to installation brackets.

10. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated sheet metal channel, and braces extending across the channel adjacent to its ends, the braces having fingers projecting beyond the ends of the channel, and the fingers being bendable for positioning the head-bar with respect to installation brackets,

11. For a Venetian blind head-bar, an end brace comprising: an elongated metal member having terminal portions for attachment to the head-bar, and having an intervening finger portion constituting a spacer, the finger being bendable for varying the spacing between the end of the head-bar and an installation bracket.

12. In the art of Venetian blinds, an end brace for a channel-shaped head-bar, said brace comprising: an elongated piece of metal having at elongated sheet metal channel having side walls and a bottom, fittings for supporting and operating the blind, said fittings being distributed along said channel and resting against the bottom thereof, and clinched metal fingers securing said fittings in place, said fingers being integral with 'the channel bottom and being struck from the metal thereof.

17. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated sheet metal channel having side walls and a bottom, the bottom having punched therein longitudinally extending slots for the passage of ladder tapes, the punched metal being formed into curved fingers providing a smooth bearing surface for the ladder tapes, and blind-operating fittings positioned in juxtaposition to said fingers, said fingers being clinched against said fittings and therebysecurlng them in place.

18. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated sheet metal channel having side walls and a bottom, a tilter and ladder tape rockers distributed along the channel, an operating shaft extending through the tilter and the rockers, a cross brace extending between the side walls of the channel adjacent to one end of the shaft, said cross brace acting as a stop for limiting axial movement of the shaft in one direction, and a support adjacent to the other end of the shaft, said support having a bendable finger projecting across the other end of the shaft for limiting axial movement of the shaft in the opposite direction.

19. A brace for a Venetian blind head-bar, said brace comprising: a strip of metal having a bent portion between its ends and having terminal formations displaceable for interlocking engagement with the head-bar by straightening of said bent portion.

20. Stock for cutting into lengths for Venetian blind head-bars, said stock comprising: a thin sheet metal channel of U-shaped cross section, the a free edges of the U formation being turned inwardly and formed into open beads extending longitudinally of the channel, the bottom and sides of the channel being longitudinally fluted, and the fluting on the sides of the channel being so disposed as to provide longitudinal ridges on the inner surfaces of said channel immediately below said beads.

21. A Venetian blind head-bar, comprising: an elongated sheet metal channel having side walls and a bottom, fittings for supporting and operating a blind. said fittings being distributed along said channel and resting against the bottom thereof, and metal fingers struck from said channel bottom, said fingers being in clinched engagement'with said fittings to maintain them in place,

the apertures in said channel bottom formed by the striking of metal from said bottom to form said fingers being adapted to receive ladder tapes for the blind.

5 HARRY NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,771,647 Moe July 29, 1930 1,993,173 Kuyper Mar. 5, 1935 15 2,262,949 Lorentzen Nov. 18, 1941 

